It is hereby announced that Javier González Canchos has resigned as president of the Spanish Federation of Rugby. Improper management and cost control in 2013 , and breach of the Viability Plan agreed with the Sports Council , in the exercise have caused considerable budget deficit, which called into question the viability of the federation. After a hard assessment of the circumstances , Javier González Canchos considered that his resignation is required to find appropriate solutions to the situation created.

From now on the Spanish Rugby Federation will initiate the process of a new electoral process and becomes directed by a Management Committee which will be the body responsible for administering and managing the federation during the electoral process, not being able to carry more than ordinary acts of mere administration and management , as well as how many are necessary to ensure the orderly development of the electoral process , according to what is stated in the regulations governing the electoral process.

The resignation of Mr Javier González Canchos involves the dissolution of the entire Board , previously, will meet urgently to call elections and the Executive Committee -acto followers will meet to elect the Management Committee . In turn, the team of the Federation puts his resignation to the competent body.

The Sports Council (CSD ) , the International Rugby Amateur ( FIRA -AER ) and the International Rugby Board ( IRB ) have been informed of the situation and expressed the support of these institutions to the Federation involve careful control to ensure the financial future of Spanish football.

In Chronicle of a Death Foretold could describe the process that led to the intervention of the Spanish Federation of rugby by the Sports Council. During the nearly two years that the policy led by Javier González Canchos Spanish ruled the destinies of rugby, there have been numerous signs that warned of the dubious work of managers, accompanied by voices of warning, in the very bosom of the sports oval, or directed to the same CSD.

The basic problem has been overspending, based on a difficult items of income or achievement directly nonexistent.

The 'inheritance received' and auditsFrom close to the outgoing board sources, has been referred to as partial justification of the current deficit of 1.5 billion euros, the previously left by the previous rector team, led by Alfonso Sent. However, according to official work on CSD document addressed to the ERF had a positive balance at the time of handover of 107,000. An audit commissioned by the team Canchos on federative state coming to office has not been published, despite having been claimed to be the Assembly and its target. The deficit generated in 2012 amounted to 185,000 euros.

Salary increases and unplanned activitiesAmong the first acts of the new board found the uploading of compensation of members of national teams (600 players went to collect 1,000 euros per match), both players and technicians as well as to establish the pre-Olympic team Seven male professional profile FER. Currently, each player debts ranging between 4,000 and 12,000 euros, regardless of existing members of the medical staff and suppliers. The Profile FER only lasted one year: Men's Sevens team 13-14 season focuses for each tournament and last of the World Series, with little chance of qualifying for Rio 2016.

XV team toured Africa and team participation in the U-18 European, which had been ruled by economic problems were also decided in 2012.

Sub difficult economic justificationAmong the items of income was provided, for example, a 425,000 euros from the Spanish Olympic Committee, which was never budgeted by the agency or by the ADO Plan, which itself belongs Seven female.

Federal costs triggered activitySpending inner workings of the Federation exceeded 500,000. In addition to increased spending, we proceeded to cease and indemnify the national coach Bryce Bevin, appointed by the federal team, run the danger of falling male XV. Income of the referees, but again no items of income that supported the measure also increased.

Function without knowing the actual budgetIn fact, the Spanish Rugby Federation worked without real budget, and that at each meeting of the Executive Committee was presented, for information, according to the president, a different economic programmatically, without report of expenditure management. At the last meeting in February, the accounts submitted were rejected by the committee. A consignment of 23,000 euros to pay interest even unsolicited credit is given. A communication plan, which exceeded 400,000 euros, must be removed because it is not as tender as adjudged by law.

Three treasurers in less than two yearsRoberto Anidos, treasurer of the FER, resigned in 2013 after warning that it was possible that the body went into bankruptcy. Two others have succeeded to the explosion of the current crisis.

Congress, the campus and the World MoscowShortly after taking the federal management team organized a National Congress Canchos Rugby, the cost was borne by the RES, although some attendees said they still owed expenses. In rugby sources also cited that have reported losses of thousands of euros for a campus promotion in which a few dozen children participated, as well as a female Seven in Marbella, organized without sponsors. Also, 17 people came to accompany the Spanish World Sevens Moscow in 2013, although the FER officially denied that it had taken over all spending.

Promises and arrival and departure of 'sponsors'Among the campaign promises of directors resigned now, before the elections, the resignation was charging fees to clubs and federal rights for the licenses, and ultimately not carried out. Yes the entry of Orange and Heineken as sponsors, thanks to a pre-recorded management, but the board knew the launch of another major sponsor, as Renfe.

I'm assuming that's 1.5 million not billion as that would be impossible.

Iguiniz, 31 years old, played 189 Top14 games and 35 Challenge Cup games.This season, he played 8 of the 9 Top14 games and started 7.He is also capped 3 times by the French Barbarians and 3 times by France A (so, how can he plays for Spain?)

Edit: it would also have had to have been a match between France A and either a test side or the designated second national team of another nation. So, for example, if France A played the NZ Maori, that wouldn't tie players to France as the Maori aren't the designated second national team of New Zealand. Same goes for playing against a club, invitational side like the Barbarians or even a side like the PI combined team from a few years back.

Edit: it would also have had to have been a match between France A and either a test side or the designated second national team of another nation. So, for example, if France A played the NZ Maori, that wouldn't tie players to France as the Maori aren't the designated second national team of New Zealand. Same goes for playing against a club, invitational side like the Barbarians or even a side like the PI combined team from a few years back.

Iberia - VRAC from Valladolid defeated 32-8 CDUL from Lisbon to conquer the 2014 Iberian Cup, in the last weekend of the year. This is the first Iberian Cup for VRAC, which won also all the three national titles in the past season. Spain is leading 20 trophies to 15 in the history of the Iberia Cup, with portuguese teams having won the last three editions of the cup. CDUL (Universitario de Lisboa) is going to compete in the "third european cup", from january 17th, while Valladolid will field its other main club, El Salvador. http://www.valladolidrac.com/contenido.php?art_id=6609

If they're good enough to play at World Cups, then why not in between?

Does anybody know what happened to the Proposed league with Spanish and Portuguese franchise teams that was meant to start 5-7 years ago? I know it didn't get off the ground but would there be any possibility of it happening in any form.

The Do wrote:Does anybody know what happened to the Proposed league with Spanish and Portuguese franchise teams that was meant to start 5-7 years ago? I know it didn't get off the ground but would there be any possibility of it happening in any form.

It had one season before it was scuttled. Someone with more knowledge of Spanish Rugby can elaborate more.

Marco Pinto Ferrer (hooker from Béziers) is missing. Best possible, second line and back row with first call for Thibaut Visensang.

A lot of backs are missing. Charlie Malie from Montauban but the biggest omission is Mathieu Belie (starting Fly-half of Perpignan) who was in the 53 players squad. Christopher Ruiz is also missing one again. Remains none at fly-half from the original list, so Dan Snee is called at 10...

At centre, both Pro D2 starter players Gramatico (Carcassone) and Gimenez (Biarritz) are not called. Jaime Nava was called as a back row in the initial list. At wing, it's the best possible selection.At full back, prolific Albi goalkicker Mathieu Peluchon is missing.

I will try to tell you what happened and what is the Spanish Rugby Union (SPU) going to do.

DEBT

As someone has written, Mr. Cancho spend a lot of money that the SPU didn´t have. This has affected considerably the U-19 & u-18 national teams to the point that their appearances in international tournaments are in danger. However the new president is doing his job well and has negotiate with CSD and WR a path to follow in order to redirect the situation and balance the economy of the SPU and have the chance to continue competing in international tournaments.

PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

Another thing someone asked was about the attempt of creating a professional league. The problem we have here is always the same, almost every club in Spain is amateur, except 10-15 which are "semi-professional", each club wants everything for him and sharing players in a franchise is difficult to do because there´s always the same discussion about how much money and how many players are going to put the other teams, how is going to be the money distributed, etc.

To sum up in Spain and in northern hemisphere in general a franchise league is not in our mentality, we are used to support our team.

On the other hand, Spanish teams are bringing foreign player which are increasing the level of the spanish league (Division de Honor). This would help to have better players and a better national team.

BUDGET

The SPU budget was 2.5 million euros. Is a small budget that was bad administered.

FUTURE

The goal of the spanish national coach, Santiago Santos, is to achieve the second place of the ENC1 and compete equal against Georgia and Rumania, which is possible as was shown last year with a result of 17-24 against Georgia and 32-6 against Rumania, both lost but far away from other matches lost by more than 40-50 points. This is obvious due to players which are in France because the local league has not the same level, but will help to improve and show a path to follow for young players.

If you have any question just ask. I hope you understand a little bit of the situation.

It was announced today that Servette is jumping from Switzerland to the French system. Do any Spanish clubs play in France? And if not would it be possible for a Spanish team or two to attempt the same? Barcelona and Bilbao seem like good locations to base a good sized clubs out of. Bilbao seems close enough to the Aquitaine region while Barcelona sits close to Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon regions. It would definitely help improve the Spanish player depth as they could be getting increasingly better opposition in France.

Buffalo wrote:It was announced today that Servette is jumping from Switzerland to the French system. Do any Spanish clubs play in France? And if not would it be possible for a Spanish team or two to attempt the same? Barcelona and Bilbao seem like good locations to base a good sized clubs out of. Bilbao seems close enough to the Aquitaine region while Barcelona sits close to Midi-Pyrénées and Languedoc-Roussillon regions. It would definitely help improve the Spanish player depth as they could be getting increasingly better opposition in France.

It certainly does seem to set an interesting template for any club looking to make the jump. The Top14 could look very different in 15-20 years if more follow suit.

I will try to tell you what happened and what is the Spanish Rugby Union (SPU) going to do.

DEBT

As someone has written, Mr. Cancho spend a lot of money that the SPU didn´t have. This has affected considerably the U-19 & u-18 national teams to the point that their appearances in international tournaments are in danger. However the new president is doing his job well and has negotiate with CSD and WR a path to follow in order to redirect the situation and balance the economy of the SPU and have the chance to continue competing in international tournaments.

PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE

Another thing someone asked was about the attempt of creating a professional league. The problem we have here is always the same, almost every club in Spain is amateur, except 10-15 which are "semi-professional", each club wants everything for him and sharing players in a franchise is difficult to do because there´s always the same discussion about how much money and how many players are going to put the other teams, how is going to be the money distributed, etc.

To sum up in Spain and in northern hemisphere in general a franchise league is not in our mentality, we are used to support our team.

On the other hand, Spanish teams are bringing foreign player which are increasing the level of the spanish league (Division de Honor). This would help to have better players and a better national team.

BUDGET

The SPU budget was 2.5 million euros. Is a small budget that was bad administered.

FUTURE

The goal of the spanish national coach, Santiago Santos, is to achieve the second place of the ENC1 and compete equal against Georgia and Rumania, which is possible as was shown last year with a result of 17-24 against Georgia and 32-6 against Rumania, both lost but far away from other matches lost by more than 40-50 points. This is obvious due to players which are in France because the local league has not the same level, but will help to improve and show a path to follow for young players.

If you have any question just ask. I hope you understand a little bit of the situation.

What is the likelihood of the Division De Honor moving from a semi-pro league with a number of imports to a professional league? What would it take to get it to that level?